Let me just preface this post by saying that I’m very excited to meet our son in just a couple of short months. Being able to feel him kick and move inside of me has been such a surreal experience. But if I’m being honest, I’m hitting the point of pregnancy when I long to no longer be pregnant.
I shared a number of things that I’m missing being able to eat and do back in July. Now that I’m in the third trimester, physical activities are becoming progressively more difficult, and I just want to feel like “me” again.
So what am I currently missing?
1. My Endurance
Simple tasks like household chores are becoming more and more difficult. We live in a three story townhouse, and constantly going up and down the stairs while taking care of things around the house often leaves me out of breath and needing to sit for a few minutes. I miss the days of being able to run up and down the stairs, especially if I’m trying to get out the door and realize that I’ve left something in the house.
2. My Flexibility
Barely able to touch the ground while stretching at the gym about three weeks ago
My growing baby belly is making it more and more difficult to stretch pre and post workout like I’m used to. I’m can barely able to reach my toes anymore.
3. My Ability to Work Out Like I Used To
While I’ve been staying active while pregnant, my workouts aren’t anything like they used to be. I can’t lift heavy weights, nor can I weight train for as long as I could prior to becoming pregnant. My cardio workouts are at slower paces, as well as shorter than they used to be. While working out, I find that I need to drink water more frequently, as well as take breaks in order to catch my breath.
4. Running Like I Used To
Running at the Dulles Day 5k about three weeks ago
Photo Credit: Potomac River Running
Not only has my pace slowed down significantly, but I can no longer run the long distances that I could prior to pregnancy. Over the past couple of weeks I’ve come to accept that about three miles of running at any given time is my threshold before pain and pressure from my baby belly starts to set in.
5. Sleeping Through the Night
I can’t remember the last time that I didn’t need to wake up at least once in the middle of the night to pee. There are also some nights when leg cramps jolt me out of a sound sleep. And once I’m up, it usually takes awhile to get comfortable and fall back asleep.
Again, I can’t stress enough how excited I am to meet our son. Its been a joy and an honor to be able to be pregnant, especially after our long journey to conceive. But that doesn’t mean that I’m not wishing that I could do some of the things that I used to be able to do.
QOTD: For those of you who have carried a baby, what did you miss most while pregnant? For those of you who haven’t carried a baby, what do you think you would miss most while pregnant?
As always, thank you to the DC Trifecta Bloggers (Courtney from Eat Pray Run DC, Mar from Mar on the Run, and Cynthia from You Signed Up For What?!) for hosting the weekly Friday Five Link Up. Be sure to check out their posts as well!
Don’t get me wrong, I’ve loved being a mom to my 2 sons. But pregnancy was really hard for me. I didn’t love being pregnant. I feel guilty even saying that because I had to do IVF. But there it is…
Part of me felt really guilty writing this post, especially since getting pregnant wasn’t easy for us either. At the same time, I’m ready to move past this stage and have our son out in the world with us.
It’s hard being pregnant…especially the last few months, I totally get it! I had a love/dislike relationship with my pregnancies. My first was really good but she came 4 weeks early (not recommended) unexpectedly. We had some nursing challenges with her but that only lasted a few months. My second pregnancy was terrible…I was SO sick every single minute.
Your endurance, flexibility and running like you use to eventually. As for the sleep…good luck…I’m still up with my almost 3 year old each night due to growing pains, teething still or some other excuse. However, IT’S ALL WORTH IT 🙂
Yes, I know it’ll all be worth it. 🙂
Despite my pregnancy being a very long time ago, I do remember that the thing I missed most was chocolate! I ate super healthy and knew caffeine products were not good for my baby. However, when you hold your son for the first time, you will totally forget this list of what you are missing now. Best two days of my life were getting married and having a daughter!
The best day of my life so far was our wedding day, and I’m sure the day that our son is born will be right up there with it. 🙂
I was a bed rester from 14 weeks on so I missed pretty much everything. Still so worth it though!
Yikes, I can’t imagine having to be on bed rest for that long. I’m getting antsy just with how much more limited my movement has already become.
Aww hang in there girl! Not much longer! I remember missing being able to paint my toes and sleeping on my back! But it is totally worth it when you hold that precious baby in your arms the first time!
Oh I’m definitely missing being able to sleep on my back.
Thanks for sharing! I feel like this is something so many people will be able to relate to. I know if I’m lucky enough to have kids someday, I’d probably hit the point of feeling the same way.
I’m just hopeful that once he’s here I’ll look back on this list and get a good laugh.
Well you should probably get used to #5 for a while 🙂 It is quite change for your body and your mindset to be pregnant. It is difficult at times but also truly amazing.
Very true about the lack of sleep. 🙂
Oh how I remember those days! It is difficult towards the end, but oh so worth it! 🙂
Thanks for the support, Amy.
Ha! I’m only 13 weeks pregant and already at the point that I’m ready to not be pregnant and get the baby here already. 😉 I miss sushi and the level of energy I used to have to attack my day and be productive and get things done. And I miss the confidence in my articulate, detail-oriented, info-absorbing brain that has been replaced with one that makes silly dumb mistakes all.the.time. I miss knowing my body, when it feels “off” and knowing what to do about it to fix it, knowing how far I can push myself or need too. I know (and hate being reminded) that our bodies and even brains will never be the same but that it’s all going to be good and worth it and wonderful. I’m so glad you’re being honest and happy for you that you’re counting down!
I’m really missing sushi, but my husband has already promised me a sushi meal once we’re home from the hospital. 🙂
I am missing my old running pace, too! Thankfully it will be back eventually! Hang in there, girl! Almost there!!
Thanks Karen! I keep trying to remind myself that I’ll eventually get back to my old pace.
I have three sons. I missed soda I stopped caffeine every pregnancy. You will get all those things back, with a great prize at the end. After you have a baby you will really know how strong you are and things that seemed impossible become possible.
bakingrunner.blogspot.com
Yes, what I once thought was impossible I’m now seeing is in fact possible.
Sleep? You’ll never sleep again. ;o) Just kidding – my kids sleep great at 14 and 10 LOL. I missed beer when I was pregnant, but it was so long ago, I don’t really remember much else.
Ironically, I’ve only missed alcohol on a few occasions. Maybe something’s wrong with me for not missing it more?!?
I think the one thing that I would miss the most is not being able to drink coffee or as much as I do on a regular basis. I don’t know why you are not supposed to drink that. I guess bc of the caffeine in it. Hope your not a coffee drinker.
I’m actually a tea drinker, and thankfully my chai tea fits within my daily caffeine limitation.
It’s been so long 19 years since I’ve been pregnan,t but I know one thing for sure, I miss how smooth my belly was and where my girls were before being pregnant! Ahhhh 🙂
Oh I know those will never be the same, lol.
I didn’t really enjoy being pregnant either. And it’s totally normal to mourn those things you can’t do! You’ll get it back before you know it!
Thanks Sue! You’re an amazing mother runner, so I know that its certainly possible to get my pre-pregnancy fitness level back.
I cannot imagine! I think you are doing so well with the changes and with being patient, though!
Thanks!
I’m not a Mom yet, but I think about this constantly. I just pray that I can stay active while pregnant. I’m sure I’ll miss everything you are missing! The good thing is t’s only temporary.
Yes, thank goodness its only temporary, and with a great reward at the end.
honestly i think i’ll miss feeling in control of my body the most. hang in there, lady!
Its definitely hard to feel like you’re not in control, especially as somebody who has difficulty loosing control of anything.
hahaha, amen, girl!!!
I think I’ll miss ALL of these things if I was ever pregnant. But I would be excited to be able to eat some extra calories 😉
The thing is you really only need 300-500 extra calories a day while pregnant. You actually need more calories when you’re breastfeeding.
I missed sushi and beer. Is that bad to say???
Not at all. I’m really missing sushi as well.
I distinctly remember missing sleeping on my stomach. After the baby is born you forget about the things you missed.
I’m hoping I’ll feel the exact same way once he’s here.
The finish line is just ahead! You are almost there and you are doing great!!
I was on bed rest with all three of my kids and couldn’t run or do much of anything in the 3rd trimester. Sleep… you’ll sleep someday. Just kidding! 🙂 You will sleep and having a baby is so, so amazing that it is worth everything you go through. So excited for you!
Thanks Nat!
Ha. Oh man I do remember those days. I actually enjoyed being pregnant… it was the first few months adjusting to my ‘not pregnant’ body and a new born that always threw me for a new loop. 🙂
Oh I’m sure everything will feel completely difference once he’s here and I’m going through an entirely new set of new to me experiences.
I am right with you and missed all the same things you do when I was pregnant. I loved my two littles, but I am not one who loves to be pregnant. I also missed suishi and wine. The sleep at the end was the worst- a body pillow helped me a ton!
I have one that I’m borrowing from a friend, but I haven’t really used it yet. I should probably change that!
I can’t relate to how you’re feeling (duh), but I’m POSITIVE that the arrival of your son will be totally worth it! And I’m sure you’ll be back to your badass self in the gym and in races before you know it. 😀
Thanks Jennifer! I’m definitely hopeful about that!
I agree with Jennifer above…you will be crushing it in no time. I get up to pee 3 times per night as it is so I’m hoping when I have kids that I’ll be use to it 😛 LOL prob not though. 🙂
Thanks Patty! I can’t wait to get my pre-pregnancy body back.